Black Girls Must Be Magic: A Novel (Black Girls Must Die Exhausted, 2)

“Masterfully written and pitch perfect, Black Girls Must Be Magic is, simply, magic.”—Good Morning America

In this highly anticipated second installment in the Black Girls Must Die Exhausted series, Tabitha Walker copes with more of life’s challenges and a happy surprise—a baby—with a little help and lots of love from friends old and new.

For Tabitha Walker, her grandmother’s old adage, “Black girls must die exhausted” is becoming all too true. Discovering she’s pregnant—after she was told she may not be able to have biological children—Tabitha throws herself headfirst into the world of “single mothers by choice.” Between her job, doctor’s appointments, and preparing for the baby, she’s worn out. And that’s before her boss at the local news station starts getting complaints from viewers about Tabitha’s natural hair.

When an unexpected turn of events draws Marc—her on and off-again ex-boyfriend—back into her world with surprising demands, and the situation at work begins to threaten her livelihood and her identity, Tabitha must make some tough decisions about her and her baby’s future. It takes a village to raise a child, and Tabitha turns to the women who have always been there for her.

Bolstered by the fierce support of Ms. Gretchen, her grandmother’s best friend, the counsel of her closest friends Laila and Alexis, and the calming presence of her doula Andouele, Tabitha must find a way to navigate motherhood on her own terms. Will she harness the bravery, strength, and self-love she’ll need to keep “the village” together, find her voice at work, and settle things with Marc before the baby arrives? 

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Published Feb 1, 2022

272 pages

Average rating: 7.52

86 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Sunraes
Sep 17, 2025
In this second installment of Jayne Allen’s Black Girls Must Die Exhausted series, I found myself surprised by the shift in pace and tone. The first book felt like a whirlwind — busy, layered, and almost overwhelming at times. But because of my own biblio-FOMO and partly because once I start a story, I’m committed to seeing it through. This follow-up didn’t rush me in the same way. Instead, it allowed the characters, especially Tabby, to breathe. The writing felt more grounded, giving space for growth and reflection. I noticed moments where Tabby seemed to step into a new maturity, even as she wrestled with uncertainty about what she truly wants. That tension — between knowing, doubting, and learning to voice her desires — felt deeply relatable. I still wanted her to be more assertive, honest, and clear about what she truly wants.. What I appreciated most in this book is how it showed that growth doesn’t have to be dramatic to be meaningful. Sometimes the work of becoming is quiet, subtle, and messy. And maybe that’s the point: women, especially Black women, are allowed complexity. They’re allowed to hesitate, to change their minds, to redefine themselves — even in fiction, maybe I'll see the evolution in the third book- I’m invested.
LiterallyREaD
May 10, 2025
7/10 stars
It’s a great story, but I’d like to know more about her friends and hear and understand their story. She’s an annoying lead, but I can’t put it down.
Itstricey joy
Feb 26, 2022
Enjoyable! Can’t wait for the 3rd book!

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